# Facing My Fear: A Life-Changing Elevator Experience
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Chapter 1: The Fear of Elevators
Have you ever found yourself in an elevator with people you don’t know?
Photo via Pexels
For as long as I can remember, the thought of being trapped in an elevator has lingered at the back of my mind, especially given my struggles with claustrophobia. I always found myself thinking, “I hope this doesn’t happen to me.” But I had never encountered this situation—until yesterday, when I found myself stuck in an elevator with fourteen strangers in one of the tallest skyscrapers around.
Here’s how it unfolded:
My boyfriend and I were enjoying a breathtaking view from the building’s observation deck, surrounded by tourists. From our vantage point, the vehicles below looked like tiny toys, and everything moved in a dreamlike slow motion. After taking in the sights, we decided to head back down for lunch in the city.
However, just ten seconds into our descent, the elevator suddenly jolted and came to an abrupt stop. To our surprise, it started moving upwards as if trying to realign itself.
The Unexpected Halt
A palpable silence enveloped the group. Sixteen pairs of eyes exchanged wide-eyed glances filled with confusion.
“Uh oh…” My grip tightened around the elevator railing, and I could feel my heart racing. Everyone seemed to assume it was a temporary glitch, but that wasn’t the case.
Panic began to creep in as my mind raced with questions. What was happening? Were we safe?
“Should we notify the operator?” someone finally suggested after a few minutes of being stuck. “Just to keep them in the loop?”
We made the call. The operator assured us they would send a mechanic and confirmed that we were safe. But hearing those words didn’t ease my anxiety when I found myself trapped in a confined space with strangers.
Coping with Anxiety
In those initial moments, I fought hard against a panic attack. My body trembled, and the air felt stifling. I focused on my breathing, desperately trying to stay calm while a torrent of thoughts flooded my mind.
How would we escape? Would firefighters have to come to our rescue? Or would we be hoisted out by a helicopter? Was this some bizarre reenactment of a scene from Spiderman: Homecoming? (While that scenario might seem thrilling in a movie, I was not prepared for such excitement in real life).
Spiderman saving a falling elevator with his web?! Spiderman: Homecoming, 2017. (image by Marvel Studios)
As typical for my anxious mind, I spiraled into negative thoughts. Yet, I had never faced a situation like this before.
Adjacent to us, another elevator was in operation. Each time it moved, our elevator shook slightly, increasing my unease. Thankfully, we were safe throughout the ordeal, but it often felt as though our lives hung by a thread.
Finding Comfort in Humor
Eventually, the air conditioning kicked in, prompting someone to say, “Well, at least they know we’re going to be here for a while.” This sparked laughter, and soon we began chatting with one another.
We met a family from London traveling with their four children and a group from Edmonton who had saved diligently for this trip. One person remarked that my boyfriend and I looked like we were on a honeymoon. “I can get ordained online,” someone joked. “Let’s make this happen—an elevator wedding!”
In no time, we bonded, feeling like a family reunited after a long separation. At one point, we even started discussing music. “Does anyone have an elevator-appropriate playlist?”
“No elevator music, please!” came the humorous reply.
The Path to Freedom
Engaging with one another helped distract us from our anxiety. We played games like Wordle and listened to Lizzo, making the time pass more easily. Yet, the underlying tension remained, and we frequently checked our watches and called for updates on our rescue.
Finally, the elevator lurched back to life, slowly moving us back up to the building's top. One of the most frightening moments came when the technician had to manually align the elevator with the building, leaving us in darkness and moving like a claw machine prize.
When the doors finally opened, we all erupted in cheers.
The mechanic led us to another elevator with a technician, and though I was nervous about going down again, it felt like a necessary step to move past the experience.
An Hour of Connection
As cliché as it sounds, spending an hour in an elevator transformed my perspective on life. It instilled a deep sense of gratitude and a desire to embrace life to its fullest. I realized how remarkable it is for our minds and bodies to adapt to a ‘new normal.’ Initially, I was overwhelmed, but soon the situation felt almost ordinary—if I didn’t dwell on it too much.
I grew to appreciate the people I was with, including the strangers who became my companions in that confined space. It’s astonishing how a shared experience can forge connections. Had I been alone or with a different group, my experience would have been vastly different.
Ultimately, we spent about an hour in that elevator—surrounded by people I had never met before. A significant part of my claustrophobia stems from feeling overwhelmed by the unfamiliar. Yet, getting to know my fellow passengers helped me feel more at ease.
Fortunately, everyone emerged unscathed, and we all made our way to the ground safely, where we enjoyed lunch together.
Chapter 2: Lessons Learned
In this video titled "I Faced MY BIGGEST FEAR And THIS HAPPENED!", the speaker shares their personal journey of confronting fears and the unexpected outcomes of their experience.
In another inspiring video, "I FACED MY BIGGEST FEAR...", the creator discusses the lessons learned from facing fears and how it can lead to personal growth.